What are the benefits, you ask?
First of all, your feline will be less likely to go into hiding mode every time you get his or her carrier out for that trip to the vet. Second to this, in the event of an emergency, or when evacuation of the home is required, it’s important to quickly locate and transport your cat (without the additional anxiety involved with the dreaded crate or carrier). Or, what about when you’re moving and need a safe place for your cat during the chaos?

There are also many advantages for your cat when it comes to cozying up to that carrier. A cat who has a safe zone or place that is his or her own is less likely to feel anxious when changes occur in the home. Allowing your cat to having a comfortable mini-home can instill a sense of safety and territory, and provide a quiet place for napping, snacking, hiding, or relaxing.

Crate Training Your Cat – Step-by-Step

Now that you know all of the incredible benefits of having a crate-trained kitty, where do you begin?

  1. The Crate – Carriers and crates come in all sizes and are often made of sturdy canvas, metal, or plastic. We recommend a multi-part carrier that you can disassemble. This way you can add the walls and top, along with the door, as your cat becomes more comfortable with being in the carrier. The carrier should be big enough for your cat to stand and turn around in, but not much more.
  2. Comfort factor – Add your cat’s favorite blanket and some toys. You may also want to consider a spritz of Feliway inside the crate and around the perimeter, in an effort for your kitty to feel more at ease.
  3. Food frenzy – Consider feeding your cat his or her meals in or near the crate to help with positive association or reward.
  4. Treat temptation – If your cat is motivated by treats, try leaving a few healthy morsels in the carrier every now and then to entice further exploration.
  5. Door dilemma – If your cat is feeling relaxed, start to close the door for a minute or two and see if he or she is startled or still relaxed. Add a little more time to the open door/closed door game over the next few weeks.
  6. Travel lightly – Once your cat gets used to his or her new mini crash pad, close the door and walk your cat in the carrier around the house – maintaining a calm demeanor – and gauge his or her reaction.
  7. Testing 1,2,3 – Gradually add more time to your cat’s trips around the home, eventually trying this in the car by driving around the block or neighborhood.
  8. Patience is key – Acclimating your cat to the new crate, then adjusting him or her to travel will take a few weeks (or longer, for some), but many cats will learn to associate the crate with positives if these are reinforced over time.

If your cat is experiencing unusually high levels of anxiety around travel or crate training, please contact us and we can discuss how to help your cat stay calm while on the road. We also welcome your cat crate training questions. Good luck!